Which version of RPG Maker should I get my friend?

 He's a very, very talented artist, writer, and muscician, and is looking to create an rpg, but has no idea where to start, programming-wise. I decided to buy him a copy of RPG Maker on steam. XP is much, much cheaper, but I've never used it. How does it stack up to VX Ace?

It really depends on what you like to do, there have been lots of discussions about XP vs Ace already so just go search them up.

Yeah, there have been plenty of similar topics started in the Product Discussion and Support. This is one that I found on the first page. http://forums.rpgmakerweb.com/index.php?/topic/31777-rpg-maker-xp-vs-vx-ace-video-comparison/

And I'm sure if you look/search through there you will find many others.

Hello. Since I did the same research, let me tell you what I did choose. I got RPG Maker VX Ace.

1] First of all, RGSS3 is better than older core systems. RGSS3 comes with RPG Maker VX Ace.

2] Default characters on XP were two tiles tall. (a tile is 32x32 a pixels graphics square)  Character and sprite graphics on VX Ace are 1 tile by default, as all the chartacters that are packed with it. I find this thing prettier, while others might find it ugly. So can you use 2 tile sprites on VX Ace? YES YOU CAN.

3] Map editing is really more limited in RPG Maker VX Ace BUT this is not an argument for taking RPG Maker XP instead of VX Ace. Yes, you can have as many tiles in XP as you want and play with them. On VX Ace you got a limited number. So what do you do?

 In case you wanna make somethnig great and nice, having XP or VX Ace doesn't matter really.

That's because you download the FREE editor named TILED and you do parralax mapping using that infinite power tool.

How? Google "Parallax mapping tutorial VX ACE" and find a good one.

CLICK ME!

5] An argument about XP vs VX Ace is that on XP there were a lot of free scripts available.

Today on VX Ace a lot of them are ported and others are made making even action RPG systems available.

So consider VX Ace a better alternative.

6] Music support. VX Ace wins here.

7] By default RPG Maker series is programmed VERY easy by using event commands.

VX ACE has A LOT more and better from XP.

And as I mentioned before, it also comes with enhanced core scripts  

8] Interface. Well it is similar but VX Ace feels better really. You just have to get used to it, and learn fast what is going on and what you can do... hmmm... here, take something I made for that purpose. It is a free tutorial game.

9] Starting assets. Both lack some essentials to make a modern game but you are an artist... so... ;)

CLICK ME TOO.

Note that these are my personal conclusions due to my personal research.

I might be wrong on some parts, I don't wanna start a debate or an argument here.

I don't present them as universal truths, but as a personal opinion to help @The Windlord.

Cheers and happy game making. 

We are expecting you.

EDIT:

PS: Due to a Humble Bundle that took place, I got both VX Ace and XP.  

Edit 2: Fixed some parts that were not making any sense. Personal reminder: Never reply when you are sleepy.

XP is a great system, and can produce better maps with less effort. But it feels very... clunky compared to Ace.

You can always try the trial and see for yourself, it really ends with a matter of preference. But if I really had to choose I feel more comfortable using Ace.

Unless your friend wants to have unstable scripts (not a lot of them are stable quantity does not equate to quality), minimal support in the official forums (compare RMVXA Support boards to XPs) and pretty much being outdated, then use XP.

I hate to say this, but you just missed a great sale on Ace in the Mid-week madness sale. 75% off.


Good news is it will probably happen again.


Bad news is, it might not happen again for three or four more months.


Good news is, you can do A LOT with the Lite version in the meantime!

I saw that. You can only imagine how frustrated I was when my steam gift cards didn't work.

I guess I'm going to be waiting for a sale, because I'm pretty broke on money atm too.